Core Exercise Apparatus and Methods

ABSTRACT

A dual-mode exercise apparatus may include an articulating arm assembly coupled through a joint to a support assembly. In an illustrative embodiment, the arm assembly may include a seat centrally mounted above a ball-and-socket joint and a stabilizer member for the hands and/or feet of the user. In a first mode of operation a user sits on the seat and uses his or her core muscles to articulate the seat on the ball-and-socket joint against the resistance provided by, for instance, weights mounted on distal portions of the arm assembly. In certain embodiments the apparatus may further provide a second mode of operation which simulates rowing a kayak. In a corresponding illustrative embodiment a user sits in a second seat positioned rearward of the arm assembly and the arm assembly includes handle members. In operation the user articulates the handles in a manner akin to rowing a kayak.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED CASES

The instant application claims benefit to the following United Statespatent applications, the entirety of each of which is hereinincorporated by reference.

Ser. No. Title Filing Date 61/656,348 Core Balance Seat 06-JUN-201261/625,098 Core Balance Seat 17-APR-2012 61/623,598 Core Balance Seat13-APR-2012 61/621,765 Core Balance Seat 09-APR-2012 61/712,986 CoreExercise Apparatus and Methods 12-OCT-2012

SUMMARY OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

A dual-mode exercise apparatus may include an articulating arm assemblycoupled through a joint to a support assembly. In an illustrativeembodiment, the arm assembly may include a seat centrally mounted abovea ball-and-socket joint and a stabilizer member for the hands and/orfeet of the user. In a first mode of operation a user sits on the seatand uses his or her core muscles to articulate the seat on theball-and-socket joint against the resistance provided by, for instance,weights mounted on distal portions of the arm assembly. In certainembodiments the apparatus may further provide a second mode of operationwhich simulates rowing a kayak. In a corresponding illustrativeembodiment a user sits in a second seat positioned rearward of the armassembly and the arm assembly includes handle members. In operation theuser articulates the handles in a manner akin to rowing a kayak.

The details of one or more implementations are set forth in theaccompanying drawing and description below. Other features, objects, andadvantages will be apparent from the description and drawings, and fromthe claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an illustrative core training apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the illustrative core training apparatuswhich depicts a first operational mode.

FIG. 3A is a perspective view of the illustrative core trainingapparatus which depicts a second operational mode.

FIG. 3B is a perspective view of the illustrative core trainingapparatus which further depicts the second operational mode.

FIG. 4A is a perspective view of the illustrative core trainingapparatus which depicts a third operational mode.

FIG. 4B is a perspective view of the illustrative core trainingapparatus which further depicts the third operational mode.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of an illustrative core training apparatus whichdepicts various operational modes.

FIG. 6 is a front cross-sectional view of an exemplary angular couplingsystem in an illustrative core training apparatus.

FIGS. 7-9 are front and side views of illustrative core trainingapparatus with illustrative row training apparatus.

Like reference symbols in various drawing indicate like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE IMPLEMENTATIONS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an illustrative core training apparatus.FIG. 1 depicts a core training apparatus 100 which includes a supportbase that includes laterally extending support arms. The rearwardlyextending arm is longer than the remaining three arms and slidablyengages seat 102 which is secured in a desired position along therearwardly extending arm with a pin that mates with one of a number ofreceiving apertures 109 located along the rearwardly extending arm. Theseat 102 can be moved as shown by arrow 111 into various positions(e.g., as depicted in broken lines by a seat 103) along the rearwardlyextending arm defined by pin receiving holes 109.

The support base also includes a vertically extending member whichincludes a ball member akin to that conventionally used as vehiculartrailer hitches. Atop that ball member is mounted a center post whichincludes a seat 101 opposite a socket member with a recess into whichthe ball is received. In certain embodiments the socket member has oneor more inwardly projecting locking mechanisms such as set screws whichprevent the socket from lifting off of the ball. In the depictedexample, the center post includes a locking pin 129 extending radiallythrough a slot 130 in the center post. Examples of locking pinmechanisms are described in further detail with reference, for example,to at least FIG. 6. As depicted here, the locking pin 129 is in a lowerposition, which may correspond to the center post being in a lockedstate to prevent movement of the center post with respect to the ball.This locked state may provide, in some embodiments, a stable seat 101,for example, when a user mounts or dismounts from the seat 101.

Extending forwardly from the center post is a member that supports ahandlebar/footrest 106. As shown by arrow 113 the handlebar/footrest 106can articulate between an upper position in which the member serves as ahandlebar and a lower position (e.g., as depicted in broken lines in theposition as a footrest 107) in which the member serves as a footrest. Inthe depicted example, the handlebar/footrest 106 is locked into thedesired position with a spring loaded reciprocating pin.

Extending laterally from the center post are downwardly projecting armswhich have handles 104 slideably mounted thereto. The handles 104 can bemoved as shown by arrow 112 into various positions (e.g., as depicted inbroken lines by handles 105) along the arms defined by pin receivingholes 110. At the distal (lower) ends of the downwardly projecting armsare ballast holding posts that project perpendicularly and laterallyfrom the arms. The posts are configured to receive plates 108 thatprovide weight which is subject substantially to gravitational andinertial forces. In operation, the user may perform static and/ordynamic exercises by generating forces that overcome resistanceassociated with the gravitational and/or inertial forces on theballast(s), such as the plates 108, for example.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the illustrative core training apparatuswhich depicts a first operational mode. As depicted, FIG. 2 shows anoperational mode in which a user 221 performs a rowing exercise. Theuser 221 sits on the rearwardly extending arm and places his hands onthe handles 204 and pulls one back while permitting the other to moveforward in a motion similar to rowing a kayak with a dual-ended paddle.Viewed from the sides, the handles 204 progress through an oval-shapedrange of motion. In other exercises the handles 204 may be articulatedhorizontally back and forth as shown by arrows 214. The handles 204 maybe positioned at different heights to alter the difficulty, the range ofmotion and the muscles exercised. Examples of illustrative motiontrajectories are described in further detail with reference, forexample, to FIG. 5.

In the depicted example, the center post includes a locking pin 229extending radially through a slot 230 in the center post. As depictedhere, the locking pin 129 is in a raised position, which may correspondto the center post being in an unlocked state to permit movement of thecenter post with respect to the ball. This unlocked state may provide,in some embodiments, an articulating assembly coupled to the center postrotatably supported by the ball, for example, responsive to userapplying dynamic forces via the handles 204, for example. In variousembodiments, the seat 201 remains fixed when locked by the locking pin229, and otherwise the seat 201 is able to move freely subject primarilyto gravitational and inertial forces on the ballast 208.

FIGS. 3A-3B show another operational mode in which a user sits atop theseat 301 and articulates the arm assembly through use of her coremuscles. In this embodiment the handlebar/footrest 306 is secured intoan upper position. The user pivots her upper torso relative to her lowertorso in order to articulate the apparatus in a side-to-side motionillustrated by arrows 315. FIG. 3A illustrates a point in the range ofmotion in which the apparatus is fully articulated to the user's lefthand side. FIG. 3B illustrates a point in the range of motion in whichthe apparatus is articulated to the user's right-hand side.

FIGS. 4A-4B show another operational mode in which a user sits atop theseat 401 and articulates the arm assembly through use of her coremuscles. In this embodiment the handlebar/footrest 406 is secured into alower position and the user's feet rest on the footrest 406. The userpivots her upper torso relative to her lower torso in order toarticulate the apparatus in a front-to-back motion illustrated by arrows416. FIG. 4A illustrates a point in the range of motion in which theapparatus is articulated to the front (taking the user as the frame ofreference). FIG. 4B illustrates a point in the range of motion in whichthe apparatus is articulated to the rear (again, taking the user as theframe of reference).

FIG. 5 is a plan view of the core training apparatus 500 which showsvarious alternative exercise motions similar to those illustrated inFIGS. 3 and 4. As an alternative to or in addition to the side-to-sideand front-to-back motions shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the user mayarticulate the apparatus through a figure eight motion 519. By way ofexample and not limitation, the user can also articulate the apparatusin a rectangular pattern 517/518 wherein the apparatus is not permittedto return to the center position but instead the apparatus isarticulated along the outline of rectangle 520. The apparatus may alsobe articulated in a circular pattern 516, during which the apparatus islikewise not permitted to return to the center or neutral position(shown in FIG. 1) during the exercise.

FIG. 6 is a front cross-sectional view of an exemplary angular couplingsystem in an illustrative core training apparatus. An exemplary angularcoupling system 600 for use in various embodiments of the core trainerand/or the row trainer includes a rigid support base member 622 havingat a top end a ball 623. Movably coupled to the ball member 623 is asocket member 627, with a cup-shaped aperture to receive the ball member623. The socket member is adapted to deflect around three orthogonalaxes, for example, or other three dimensional coordinate axes, definedwith respect to the ball 623. This motion can be restricted when alocking pin 629 is positioned in a locking channel 628 in the ball 623.The locking pin 629 position is controlled by a user-accessible lever.When retracted up so that the pin is clear of the locking channel 628,then relative movement of the socket member 627 relative to the ball 623is not restricted by the pin 629. The user manipulation of the lever isguided by an L-shaped locking pin slot 130, as shown, for example, withreference to FIGS. 1-2.

The socket member is coupled to an actuating member 624, examples ofwhich are described with reference to a center post with reference toFIG. 1. In the depicted example, laterally extending members 626 thatsupport ballast (not shown) are integrally connected to the socketmember 627.

In the depicted example, the socket member 627 receives a removableannular retaining ring 625 adjacent the opening of the aperture andproximate a neck region just below and supporting the ball 623 on therigid base member 622. The retaining ring 625 has an inner diameterslightly less than an outer diameter of the ball 623 to prevent thesocket member 627 from inadvertently decoupling from the ball 623, forexample, during ballast changes, exercise, and mounting or dismountingoperations.

FIGS. 7-9 are front and side views of illustrative core trainingapparatus with illustrative row training apparatus. As depicted in FIG.7, an exemplary exercise system includes a core trainer and a rowtrainer. The core trainer includes a seat 701 for a human user, and adual handrest/footrest 706. Supported by an articulating assemblymovably coupled to a ball joint are the seat 701 and opposing ballasts708, which may provide controlled amounts of inertia and/orgravitational weight. In operation, the user exercises core muscles toimpart motion profiles to the articulating assembly of the core trainer.

The row trainer as depicted includes an articulating rowing assemblymovably coupled to a ball joint and opposing ballasts 708, which mayprovide controlled amounts of inertia and/or gravitational weight. Inoperation, the user grasps handles 704 and pulls and pushes to exercise,for example, upper body and/or core muscles to impart motion profiles tothe articulating assembly of the row trainer.

FIG. 8 shows an exemplary exercise system with a locking pin 829 andlocking pin slot 830 accessible from under the seat 801 on the rightside of a user when seated on the seat 801. The pin 830 is shown in anupward retracted state, which corresponds to an unlocked state of theball/socket. In this depicted example, the handrest 806 is positioned inan upper position for easy grasping by the user.

In the depicted example, the ballast of the core trainer is supported onposts that are coupled to opposing laterally extending members of afixed length. In some other embodiments, the length of the laterallyextending members may be adjustable.

The row trainer is positioned in front of the user seated on the seat801, with handles 804 within reach of the user seated on the seat 801.By applying force via the handles 804, the user may cause motion of thearticulating assembly that supports the ballast 808 on the row trainer.In this depicted example, the row trainer includes adjustable laterallyextending members along which the user can adjust the handles 804. Byadjusting the handles down, the user can select a wider separationbetween the left and right handles 804, for example. This adjustableseparation of the handles 804 may advantageously accommodate differentexercises and a range of user body sizes.

FIG. 9 illustrates an exemplary user seated on the core trainer andgrasping the row trainer. The user has positioned the handrest/footrest806 into a lower position for use as a footrest.

On the top of the row trainer is an L-shaped lever coupled to a lockingpin for immobilizing the ball/socket on the row trainer, for example,during ballast changes. In the retracted state (as shown) thearticulating assembly on the row trainer is free to be used forexercise. When rotated to be inserted into a locking channel in theball, the row trainer articulating assembly may be locked. Examples ofthis operation are described in further detail with reference to FIG. 6.

Although various embodiments have been described with reference to thefigures, other embodiments are possible. For example, the handles 104may be positioned laterally outwards of the position shown in FIG. 1. Insuch an embodiment a laterally extending member couples each handle tothe channel member which slideably engages the downwardly extendingarms. In various embodiments the handles may be positioned approximately2-4 feet apart, measured at the horizontal center point of each handle.In preferred embodiments the handles are approximately 2.5-3.5 feetapart, and in more preferred embodiments about 2.5 to 3 feet apart. Insome embodiments, separation of the handles 104 may be adjustable to anyof a number of user-selectable positions corresponding to a range ofseparation distances.

The horizontal offset of the handle from the downwardly extending armmay also be varied to alter the range of motion and muscles exercised.In the depicted embodiment the handles are offset by a distance ofapproximately 6 inches from the centerline of the downwardly extendingarms. In other embodiments, this horizontal offset is approximately 8,10, 12, 14, 16 or 18 inches.

Some embodiments may provide other grip styles and/or orientations forthe handles 104, for example. For example, some implementations mayinclude multiple or variable angle grip positions for the handles 104.Some embodiments may include a flexible (e.g., rope) attachment to begrasped by the user during exercise while seated on the seat 102.

Some examples may include foot placements to receive the ball, heel,toes, and/or the entire bottom surface of the foot of the user duringexercise while seated on the seat 102. By way of example, and notlimitation, the foot placements may include plates with or withoutstraps to capture the top of each foot, or a bar member extendingradially from the central base support member to provide a toe hold, forexample.

To aid the loading and unloading of plates 108 from the plate holdingposts the center post assembly may include a downwardly extending andreciprocating pin (e.g., the locking pin 129) which engages a verticalbore in the ball member. In this way the user can articulate the pindownward to lock the arm assembly in the center or neutral positionduring a plate unloading or loading operation and when mounting ordismounting the apparatus. When ready to begin an exercise movement, theuser can articulate the pin upwards, thereby allowing the socket torotate freely with respect to the ball.

The angle between the downwardly extending arms and vertical supportpost may be, in preferred embodiments, about 10-45 degrees and in morepreferred embodiments about 15-25 degrees and in the most preferredembodiments about 15-20 degrees. This angle may also be manuallyadjustable by a user, as shown in the provisional applicationsincorporated herein by reference. In such embodiments the downwardlyextending arms are hingedly coupled to the center post member and pinsare used to secure the arms at the desired angle.

The apparatus may also include damper elements and/or tension springelements that extend between the vertical support posts and either orboth of the downwardly extending arms and the forwardly extending armwhich holds the handlebar/footrest 106. Dampers may provide increasedresistance at higher rates of motion and may also prevent the apparatusfrom pivoting quickly, thereby reducing the risk of injury duringloading/unloading or mounting/dismounting operations. Tension springelements will tend to cause the device to return to the center orneutral position and will thereby provide a substantially modified feeland exercise for the user. Either or both of the tension springselements or the damper elements may be configured to be toolles slyremovable and installable so that a user can readily remove or addspring or damper elements as desired. For instance, the ends of thespring elements and damper elements may include apertures that alignwith complementary apertures on flanges disposed on the downwardlyextending arms and the vertical support post so that a user may readilyinsert pins to secure each spring or damper element in place. Someembodiments may include an angular displacement sensor to detect theangular deflection of the articulating assembly, (e.g., the seat 101 orthe row assembly), relative to a set of orthogonal axes defined by thearticulating assembly's base member.

Some embodiments may further include sensors to detect position,velocity, and/or forces associated with static or dynamic exercises. Insome examples one or more sensor assemblies may operate to detect theweight of the ballast loaded on the core trainer and/or the row trainer.Various sensor outputs may be received by a central processor executinga program of instructions for recording and communicating performancemetrics and other feedback to the user. By way of example, and notlimitation, the processor may be configured to send audible, visual,and/or tactile feedback to the user with indicia representative ofathletic performance. For example, the processor may be coupled to adisplay device to display a plot of instantaneous and/or historicalangular deflection of the articulating assemblies of the core trainerand/or the row trainer. The processor may output real time and/orhistorical averages or cumulative totals of user-selected parameters,such as revolutions per minute, number of revolutions, average angulardeflection, calories expended, equivalent distance rowed in a kayak, orthe like, for example. In some implementations, the display may providea programmed display of training information, such as a pre-programmedseries of motion profiles with deflection plots that the user shouldfollow. The processor may provide a score based on the user's exerciseperformance variance with respect to the training profile. Increasinglevels of difficulty may be associated with increased angulardeflections, faster velocities, alone or in combination with more taxingmotion profile sequences.

The features of the foregoing embodiments can be combined as desired toachieve additional embodiments. For instance, the core chair exercisedevice of FIG. 9 can be modified to include the non-pivoting seat andcorresponding handles of FIG. 1, such the that the user can optionallysit in this additional seat, rearward of seat 801, to execute a rowingexercise using ballast 808 while seated in a position close to thefloor.

A skilled artisan will understand that the motion of the core trainerand row trainer devices described herein will be subject substantiallyonly to the gravitational and inertial forces acting upon and throughthe ballast. The shear friction associated with the ball joint interfaceis minimal in the preferred embodiments. The effect of mass of thedevice itself, as opposed to the ballast, will be in most embodiments beinsignificant relative to the effect of the mass of the ballast giventhe positioning of the ballast and the associated polar moment ofinertia.

A number of embodiments have been described. Nevertheless, it will beunderstood that various modifications are optionally made withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of this disclosure. Accordingly,other embodiments are within the scope of the following claims.

1. A core exercise apparatus comprising: a rigid base member having anupper end and a lower end; a pivot mechanism coupled to the upper end ofthe base member; a locking mechanism to selectively prevent the pivotmechanism from pivoting; an actuating member coupled to the pivotmechanism such that the actuating member is able to freely pivot aboutthree perpendicular axes relative to the base member; laterallyextending members coupled to the actuating member which are configuredto releasably receive ballast; a first seat coupled to an upper portionof the actuating member, said seat configured to support a human userand to, when in an operative exercise mode, simultaneously pivot androtate relative to the rigid base member subject to momentum of theballast and further to, when in a mount or dismount mode, be locked intoposition by the locking mechanism; and, an adjustable handle or footstabilizing member coupled to the seat.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1,further including handle members coupled to the laterally extendingmembers and a second seat positioned below and laterally offset from thefirst seat.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the adjustable handleor foot stabilizing member is adjustable between a first positionwherein the stabilizing member serves as a handle bar and a secondposition wherein the stabilizing member serves as a footrest.
 4. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein the pivot mechanism comprises a balladapted to be received in a socket member of the actuating member. 5.The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the second seat remains substantiallyfixed when the apparatus is in an operative exercise mode.
 6. Theapparatus of claim 2, wherein the handles are vertically and laterallyadjustable.
 7. The apparatus of claim 6, further comprising a mechanismto adjust the height of the rigid base member such that the pivotmechanism may be disposed at various operative vertical positions.
 8. Acore exercise apparatus comprising: a rigid base member having an upperend and a lower end; a pivot mechanism coupled to the upper end of thebase member; a locking mechanism to selectively prevent the pivotmechanism from pivoting; an actuating member coupled to the pivotmechanism such that the actuating member is able to freely pivot aboutthree perpendicular axes relative to the base member; laterallyextending members coupled to the actuating member which are configuredto releasably receive ballast; and handle members coupled to theactuating member, said handle members configured to be graspedsimultaneously by a single human user; wherein the actuating member,when in an operative exercise mode, simultaneously pivots and rotatesrelative to the rigid base member subject to rotational momentum of theballast and further to, when in a ballast loading or unloading mode, belocked into position by the locking mechanism to facilitate loading orunloading of ballast.
 9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the pivotmechanism comprises a ball adapted to be received in a socket member ofthe actuating member.
 10. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the handlemembers are vertically and laterally adjustable.
 11. The apparatus ofclaim 8, further comprising a mechanism to adjust the height of therigid base member such that the pivot mechanism may be disposed atvarious operative vertical positions.
 12. The apparatus of claim 8,further including an adjustable handle or foot stabilizing member thatis adjustable between a first position wherein the stabilizing memberserves as a handle bar and a second position wherein the stabilizingmember serves as a footrest.
 13. The apparatus of claim 8, furtherincluding a seat which remains substantially fixed when then apparatusis in an operative exercise mode.
 14. An exercise system comprising: afirst core exercise device comprising a first rigid base member having afirst upper end and a first lower end, a first pivot mechanism coupledto the first upper end of the first base member, a first lockingmechanism to selectively prevent the pivot mechanism from pivoting, afirst actuating member coupled to the first pivot mechanism such thatthe first actuating member is able to freely pivot on and relative to afirst set of three perpendicular axes relative to the base member, firstlaterally extending members coupled to the actuating member which areconfigured to releasably receive a first ballast; and, a first seatcoupled to an upper portion of the first actuating member, said firstseat configured to support a human user and to, when in an operativeexercise mode, simultaneously pivot and rotate relative to the rigidbase member subject to rotational momentum of the ballast and furtherto, when in a mount or dismount mode, be locked into position by thefirst locking mechanism; and, an adjustable handle or foot stabilizingmember coupled to the first seat; and a second core exercise devicepositioned within reach of the human user seated on the first coreexercise device, said second core exercise device comprising: a secondrigid base member having a second upper end and a second lower end, asecond pivot mechanism coupled to the second upper end of the basemember, a second locking mechanism to selectively prevent the secondpivot mechanism from pivoting, a second actuating member coupled to thesecond pivot mechanism such that the second actuating member is able tofreely pivot on and relative to a second set of three perpendicular axesrelative to the second base member; second laterally extending memberscoupled to the second actuating member which are configured toreleasably receive a second ballast; and, handle members coupled to thesecond actuating member, said handle members configured to be graspedsimultaneously by the human user, wherein the second actuating member,when in an operative exercise mode, freely pivots relative to the secondrigid base member under a motive force supplied by the human user andsubject substantially only to inertial and gravitational forces on thesecond ballast and further to, when in a ballast loading or unloadingmode, be locked into position by the second locking mechanism tofacilitate loading or unloading of the second ballast.
 15. The apparatusof claim 14, wherein the first core exercise device includes anadjustable handle member which is adjustable between a first positionwherein the stabilizing member serves as a handle bar and a secondposition wherein the stabilizing member serves as a footrest.
 16. Theapparatus of claim 14, wherein the first pivot mechanism comprises aball adapted to be received in a socket member of the actuating member.17. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the second pivot mechanismcomprises a ball adapted to be received in a socket member of theactuating member.
 18. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the first coreexercise device includes a second seat which remains substantially fixedwhen then apparatus is in an operative exercise mode.
 19. The apparatusof claim 14, wherein the handle members are vertically and laterallyadjustable.
 20. The apparatus of claim 14, further comprising amechanism to adjust the height of the rigid base member such that thepivot mechanism may be disposed at various operative vertical positions.